America Haunts Members Brace for Record Attendance Year

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- America is ready to get its fear on.

So much so that America Haunts (www.americahaunts.com), an association of elite haunted house attractions that delivers fear-based entertainment to more than a million thrill-seekers each Halloween season, is predicting record numbers of visitors for the 2011 season.

This projection is based on last year's attendance as well as increased awareness of horror and the generation of fright fans who have grown up attending haunted houses every year.

"The thing I love about fans of haunted houses is that they are a fanatical bunch who appreciate the art of a good scare that comes only once a year," said America Haunts President Ben Armstrong.  "Particularly, as more and more people seek to stay closer to home for their entertainment, it is up to us to provide them with something to do that is cost-effective, provides them with a temporary escape from their everyday life and gives them that rush of both fear and adrenaline that they feel when they get scared.  America Haunts members provide all of that and then some."

Another reason for America Haunts optimism is that it knows fans crave the unknown, which is why the more than 20 haunted houses and hayrides within this association strive to keep their attractions fresh, annually changing their looks anywhere from 40-60 percent.  Some ideas spend more than 18 months in development before coming to fruition.

"As haunted house owners, we have an obligation to our fans to keep them guessing," Armstrong explained.  "Our members do have some great annual attractions that people just love seeing every year, but what keeps them coming back is they never truly know what is behind every corner."

Gone are the days of someone in a bad mask jumping out from behind a door yelling, "Boo!"  The attractions within America Haunts are characterized by some of most gruesome, creative and innovative displays to horrify visitors.  Each America Haunts member is committed to providing technical excellence, stunning set design, and Hollywood-quality make-up, costumes and creatures.  Members enjoy nothing more than delivering a good old-fashioned scare to fright fans of all ages.

As proof to its excellence, several attractions within America Haunts have been featured on the Travel Channel and recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records on multiple occasions.

For more information and a directory of individual haunt and attraction websites, including opening dates, hours and ticket prices, go to www.AmericaHaunts.com.

With more than 20 hayrides, and attractions in 20 markets across the country, America Haunts delivers fear-based entertainment to more than a million thrill seekers each Halloween season. The attractions within this organization have been featured on Travel Channel and recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records on multiple occasions. The high-tech attractions within this association are committed to providing technical excellence, stunning set design, and Hollywood-quality make-up, costumes and creatures. Members' enjoy nothing more than delivering a good old-fashioned scare to fright fans of all ages. For more information, visit AmericaHaunts.com.

SOURCE America Haunts